The Gallipoli Association is pleased to announce a special online conference in commemoration of the 110th Anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign.

This online ‘Zoom’ conference will feature a distinguished line-up of speakers who will offer different perspectives on the Gallipoli campaign, covering a range of subjects:

‘Have we got it right? The Right Assaulting Column ofthe New Zealand and Australian (NZ&A) Division in the August Offensive of1915’ - Christopher Pugsley

The Right Assaulting Column commanded by Brigadier-General F.E. Johnston was tasked with seizing Chunuk Bair on the night 6/7 August and then advancing south down the Sari Bair Ridge towards the ANZAC perimeter on 7 August in conjunction with attacks out of the perimeter itself. This did not happen, Johnston has been criticized for his actions on 7 August and for decisions made over subsequent days. The seizure of Chunuk Bair on 8 August by Lieutenant-Colonel W.E. Malone's Wellington Infantry Battalion supported by two British battalions has also been criticized for the defensive position headopted. A great deal of material in the form of diaries, memoirs and lettershave come to light over the course of the centenary. This paper re-evaluates the events of the 6-10 August in relationship to the ground and assesses whatwe now know.

‘In the footsteps of Monash and the 4th Australian Brigade from Quinn’s Post to Sari Bair’ - Lewis Frederickson

After relinquishing the most advanced positions at Anzac on 31 May 1915, the 4th Australian infantry brigade was almost completely spent. Over the next several weeks it spent time garrisoning in Rest Gully beneath the “Sphinx” while its numbers were reconstituted.

The formation would go on to comprise the Left Assaulting Column during the attempted attack on the heights of Gallipoli from 6-8 August 1915. The New Zealand attack, on the Australian right, made it to the top for a short time before it was repulsed.

However, the Australian assault was a disaster; one which Australia’s Official Historian stated was to become “one of those black days” of the AIF which most deeply affect the spirit of soldiers.

This paper describes why this was so for an inexperienced force so early in the conflict.

‘INSIDE GHQ: The Diary of a Staff Officer’ - Rhys Crawley, Stephen Chambers & Ashleigh Brown

Captain Orlo Williams, the chief cipher officer on General Sir Ian Hamilton’s staff, had privileged, real-time access to Secret information, most of which he recorded in his diary. This talk will give an insight into the workings of GHQ, and what the key players, politicians and generals alike, knew, thought, or decided at the time.

To register, click on https://www.trybooking.com/uk/EKCI